Joel Symonds

Research Paramedic

www.rrg-edinburgh.com

Trials

While considerable efforts have been made to determine the best ways to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for persons suffering an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), and also to understand what the physical and psychological impact on the victim might be, very little is known about what actually occurs when a lay bystander is suddenly confronted by someone in cardiac arrest.

Related news

For over 40 years, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been recognised as a vital aspect of the treatment of cardiac arrest; originally seen as solely the premise of medical professionals, the concept of bystander or lay-rescuer CPR has increased in popularity and social visibility over recent years. Major national campaigns in the press, media and online have encouraged bystanders to attempt CPR in the event of witnessing an out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), and this process has been steadily and regularly simplified over the years, in an effort to make attempting lay-rescuer CPR less daunting.